that's if president obama and congress fail to reach a budget deal. today president obama urged congress to pass a balanced short-term package to prevent the sequester from taking effect on march 1st. >> there is no reason that the jobs of thousands of americans who work in national security or education or clean energy, not to mention the growth of the entire economy, should be put in jeopardy just because folks in washington couldn't come together to eliminate a few special interest tax loopholes or government programs that we agree need some reform. >> and the president is correct there is no reason to put our fragile economy, our recovery in jeopardy. but before the president had even delivered his remarks, some republicans were out launching a preemptive strike. speaker john boehner issued a statement that seemed to take new revenue right off the table. "we believe there is a better way to reduce the deficit, but americans do not support sacrificing real spending cuts for more tax hikes." once again, republicans are willing to hold the fate of ou